Urbanism as air quality
Introduction
Ventilation is a bioclimatic strategy that has accompanied architecture since all times. To ventilate is to renew or move air from one place to another, by extracting or injecting air. It is a very important factor in architectural design since it guarantees more favorable living conditions for man and his future generations. The benefits of ventilation are:.
Comfort
We can define comfort as that “mental” state in which the person expresses satisfaction or psychophysiological well-being with the environment that surrounds them.
Comfort is the most important parameter** within bioclimatic architectural design. Achieving physical and psychological well-being is the primary objective when designing and building any space. When the necessary hygrothermal, acoustic and lighting conditions are not available, the efficiency and productivity of the subjects is considerably reduced.
Lack of comfort can cause serious physical and psychological disorders. A 1984 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that more than 70% of respiratory diseases are due to inadequate building designs. This report points out that architects are directly responsible for the health of the users of their buildings by not correctly designing the facilities for ventilation, for example. Architecture must respond harmoniously and comprehensively to the demands of its environment.
Types of ventilation
Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation is that which is obtained through natural techniques, without using any mechanical device. Some of these techniques are the use of temperature differences between two points (chimney effect), pressure differences (Venturi effect) and the speed and pressure of the wind over a hole.
Forced Ventilation
Forced ventilation is that which is carried out through the artificial creation, by mechanical means (extractors, fans, air handling units or other powered elements), of depressions or overpressures in air distribution ducts or areas of the building.